Alvaro Palacios Priorat Vi de Paratge 'La Baixada' 2019

97 POINTS: Decanter Magazine 
96 POINTS: James Suckling
96 POINTS: Robert Parker

“The 2019 La Baixada is from the 1.3-hectare vineyard of the same name that is in the process of being classified as "vinya classificada." The wine was produced with Garnacha and 2% white grapes from vines on steep costers (slopes) of slate (llicorella). The destemmed and lightly crushed grapes fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in a French oval foudre for 14 months. This has a lot in common with Finca Dofí, from a common paraje that is planted with wood from old vines from L'Ermita and Aubagetes that were not clean and delivers very low yields of small berries with thick skin and very loose bunches, a qualitative advantage that made Palacios bottle the wine separately even at the young age of the vines. There is purity here, and the wine is direct and spherical, with round and glossy tannins. The élevage of these 2019s is very subtle and has not marked the wines; there is great purity of aromas and flavors. 2,890 bottles were filled in May 2021.”
—96/100: Robert Parker

“Very delicate red fruit, dried cherries and raspberry, notes of cumin, very light broken dark chocolate, minor nutmeg, rosemary and camomile, with a very light, rose petal and orange blossom floral note. Very complex red fruits on the palate, dried herbal notes, lengthy acidity, and some tight tannic grip. Wine still developing and needs another two years in bottle to reach full potential.”
—97/100: Decanter Magazine

“Purity of fruit, with blackberries, cherries, orange peel and some mineral spice. Really gorgeous. Full-bodied with round tannins and a juicy, chewy finish. Yet the tannins are pure and layered. Give this four or five years to come together, but exciting already. Drink after 2024 and onwards.”
—96/100: James Suckling

One of Spain’s most important and influential producers, Alvaro Palacios is making stunning wines in Priorat and Bierzo. They’re expensive, yes, but they’re thrilling with it.

ABV: 14.5%